Air India Express has terminated the employment of at least 30 cabin crew members. This action was taken following a significant number of employees, approximately 300, reporting sick and intentionally disconnecting their phones, resulting in extensive flight disruptions.
It is anticipated that there will be a rise in the amount of job terminations. According to sources, the management has issued an ultimatum to the employees, stating that they must report to work by 4 pm today or face consequences.
Today, the low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Air India and currently owned by the Tata group, is facing a severe crisis as the number of cancelled flights has reached a staggering 85. The disruptions have escalated rapidly, causing significant turmoil for the airline.
It has been reported by sources that the protests are due to dissatisfaction with the new employment conditions, as crew members are claiming unequal treatment and discrepancies in job roles and compensation packages. Some employees have alleged that they were offered lower positions despite being eligible for senior roles during interviews. These concerns have heightened following the airline’s merger with AIX Connect, previously known as AirAsia India.
The recent difficulties encountered by the Tata group have been further compounded by the unrest at Air India Express. This comes in the wake of disruptions experienced by their full-service carrier, Vistara, due to pilot protests concerning rostering and salary adjustments, among other issues.
Acknowledging the disruptions, a spokesperson for Air India Express has stated that the management is actively engaging with protesting employees to address their concerns and reduce passenger inconvenience. As part of these efforts, a townhall meeting with cabin crew members is scheduled for today.
However, termination letters sent to dismissed crew members accuse them of coordinating a planned abstention from work, resulting in significant disruptions and financial losses for the airline. The letters cite violations of company policies and relevant labour laws.
In response, the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), reportedly representing the crew, has criticized the airline for mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff. Despite the union’s claims, sources within Air India Express have stated that the airline does not acknowledge any employees’ union.
Amidst the escalating dispute, the regional labour commissioner has intervened, affirming the legitimacy of the staff’s grievances and highlighting clear violations of labour laws. In a communication addressed to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and others, the labour commissioner has urged corrective actions and the formation of a high-level committee to address employee grievances and enhance the functioning of the HR department.
